There’s a lot to love during this year’s Santa Fe International Literary Festival which takes place May 15-17 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.  

Authors from around the country and of diverse literary backgrounds will descend on the City Different to engage in conversations around their beloved works. They will also participate in literary day trips for festivalgoers to experience some of Northern New Mexico’s scenic places.   

To preview the 2026 festival, organizers Megan Mulry and Susan Burks join host Inez Russell Gomez on the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different.”  

In the episode, Mulry and Burks discuss the lineup of events both leading up to and on the official days, who will be headlining and the work it takes to plan and execute a large-scale event that has proven success since its inception. Mulry and Burks also talk about some of the new festival features that will make peoples’ experience safe and enjoyable.  

Isabel Wilkerson, Rebecca Solnit, Ocean Vuong and Judy Blume are among this year’s festival talent. Visit sfinternationallitfest.org for more information.

There&rsquo;s&nbsp;a lot to love&nbsp;during&nbsp;this year&rsquo;s Santa Fe International Literary Festival which takes place May&nbsp;15-17&nbsp;at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Authors&nbsp;from around the country and of diverse&nbsp;literary&nbsp;backgrounds&nbsp;will descend on the City Different&nbsp;to&nbsp;engage in&nbsp;conversations&nbsp;around their beloved&nbsp;works. They will also&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in literary&nbsp;day trips&nbsp;for festivalgoers to experience&nbsp;some of&nbsp;Northern New Mexico&rsquo;s scenic&nbsp;places.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
To preview the 2026&nbsp;festival,&nbsp;organizers Megan Mulry&nbsp;and Susan Burks join&nbsp;host Inez Russell Gomez on&nbsp;the latest podcast&nbsp;episode&nbsp;of &ldquo;Conversations&nbsp;Different.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Mulry and Burks discuss the lineup of events both leading up to and on the official days, who will be headlining and the work it takes to plan and execute a large-scale event that has proven success since its inception. Mulry and Burks also talk about some of the new festival features that will make peoples&rsquo; experience safe and enjoyable.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Isabel Wilkerson,&nbsp;Rebecca Solnit,&nbsp;Ocean&nbsp;Vuong&nbsp;and&nbsp;Judy Blume&nbsp;are among this&nbsp;year&rsquo;s festival&nbsp;talent.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfinternationallitfest.org/">sfinternationallitfest.org</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different with Inez Russell Gomez

A preview of the 2026 Santa Fe International Literary Festival with the event’s organizers 

Following the successful release of a new album last year called Memory Mountain, Max Gomez has been busy these days on the road performing across the country.  

The Taos-raised musician is coming home this month; however, for The Desert Companion Tour with Howe Gelb and band Slant Can. The tour will make stops in the trio’s favorite places across the Land of Enchantment and Southwest. Gomez said, “nowhere in New Mexico and Arizona is safe.” 

To discuss the tour and his life on the road, Gomez joins host Inez Russell Gomez, no relation, on the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode.  

Max Gomez shares what it’s been like to perform over the last year, especially with a new album out, and what goes into putting on a good show that will captivate an audience. For him, a good show is important because he often plays solo and acoustic, and in those instances the spotlight can be daunting.  

In the episode, he also discusses plans to make more music and collaborate with other artists in the folk and Americana scene.  

The Desert Companion Tour will include stops in Silver City, Truth or Consequences, Los Alamos, Corrales, Santa Fe and Taos.  

Visit maxgomezmusic.com for dates and tickets. 

Following the successful release of a new album last year called Memory Mountain, Max Gomez has been busy these days on the road performing across the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Taos-raised musician is coming home this month; however, for The Desert Companion Tour with Howe Gelb and band Slant Can. The tour will make stops in the trio&rsquo;s favorite places across the Land of Enchantment and Southwest. Gomez said, &ldquo;nowhere in New Mexico and Arizona is safe.&rdquo;&nbsp;
To discuss the tour and his life on the road, Gomez joins host Inez Russell Gomez, no relation, on the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Max Gomez shares what it&rsquo;s been like to perform over the last year, especially with a new album out, and what goes into putting on a good show that will captivate an audience. For him, a good show is important because he often plays solo and acoustic, and in those instances the spotlight can be daunting.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, he also discusses plans to make more music and collaborate with other artists in the folk and Americana scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Desert Companion Tour will include stops in Silver City, Truth or Consequences, Los Alamos, Corrales, Santa Fe and Taos.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Visit <a href="https://maxgomezmusic.com/">maxgomezmusic.com</a> for dates and tickets.&nbsp;

Max Gomez discusses the touring life, making music and upcoming shows in New Mexico 

Santa Fe’s John Berkenfield has been a volunteer with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market for nearly 40 years.  

He says it was just yesterday that he joined the association, wanting to be more involved with the local arts community as a fellow art lover. His time volunteering started off by sweeping sidewalks and selling soft drinks on the Plaza to now helping with event production and helping on Friday with the preview, including judging.  

The experience has taught Berkenfield a lot about Native artists who come from around the world to participate in the market — and have their lives changed. He argues that listening to their stories and seeing their creativity on full display has been eye-opening.   

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Berkenfield to discuss his years of volunteering with Indian Market. The two delve into what exactly the market entails, how winning best in show can make a career and the highlights of attending this world-class event.    

In the episode, Berkenfield also speaks on the behind-the-scenes collaboration with other volunteers and partners to put on the market.  

This year’s market runs Aug. 15-16. Visit swaia.org for more information.  

Santa Fe&rsquo;s&nbsp;John Berkenfield&nbsp;has been a volunteer with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA)&nbsp;Santa Fe&nbsp;Indian Market for&nbsp;nearly 40&nbsp;years.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He says it was just yesterday that he joined the association, wanting to be more involved with the local arts community as a fellow art lover. His time volunteering started off by sweeping sidewalks and selling soft drinks on the Plaza to now helping with event production and helping on Friday with the preview, including judging.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The experience has taught&nbsp;Berkenfield&nbsp;a&nbsp;lot about&nbsp;Native artists&nbsp;who&nbsp;come from around the world to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in the&nbsp;market&nbsp;&mdash; and have their lives changed. He&nbsp;argues that&nbsp;listening to their stories and seeing their&nbsp;creativity&nbsp;on&nbsp;full&nbsp;display&nbsp;has been eye-opening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by Berkenfield to discuss his years of volunteering with Indian Market. The two delve into what exactly the market entails, how winning best in show can make a career and the highlights of attending this world-class event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Berkenfield also speaks on the behind-the-scenes collaboration with other volunteers and partners to put on the market.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This year&rsquo;s market runs Aug. 15-16.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swaia.org/">swaia.org</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;more information.&nbsp;&nbsp;

John Berkenfield reflects on 40 years volunteering at Santa Fe Indian Market and why the event is life-changing for artists

The newspaper industry isn’t what it used to be.  

Over the last decade, publications across the country and here in New Mexico have declined, facing inevitable closures because of financial woes and corporate and private interests mandating restructures.  

According to the Medill School’s 2025 State of Local News report, more than two newspapers closed per week last year, adding to what’s called a “news desert.” The term describes a lack of news coverage in communities where there is little to no media presence. The long-term effects are wide from disengaged citizens to unchecked local governments.   

Organizations have started digital outlets to help fill those coverage gaps amid a changing consumer landscape. The Santa Fe New Mexican, a 176-year-old newspaper, is about to do the same in one of those markets.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Executive Editor Bill Church to discuss the paper’s bold expansion to Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. The two discuss why the move is justified for the family-owned company and what new and longtime readers can expect.  

In the episode, Church talks about efforts to create a robust publication that will have professional journalists staffed in that part of the state to cover key issues. Julia Gentin is among the first reporters to be hired.  

Russell Gomez also asks Church about The New Mexican’s own digital growth and products which he says has helped attract a broader state-wide audience.  

More information about the new outlet, including an official name, will be released soon.

The newspaper&nbsp;industry&nbsp;isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;what it used to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Over the last decade, publications across the country and here in New Mexico have declined, facing inevitable closures because of financial woes and corporate and private interests mandating restructures.&nbsp;&nbsp;
According to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Medill&nbsp;School&rsquo;s&nbsp;2025 State of Local News&nbsp;<a href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/2025/report/">report</a>,&nbsp;more than two newspapers closed per week last&nbsp;year,&nbsp;adding to&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;called a&nbsp;&ldquo;news desert.&rdquo;&nbsp;The&nbsp;term&nbsp;describes&nbsp;a lack of news coverage&nbsp;in communities&nbsp;where there&nbsp;is&nbsp;little&nbsp;to no&nbsp;media presence.&nbsp;The long-term effects are&nbsp;wide from&nbsp;disengaged citizens&nbsp;to&nbsp;unchecked&nbsp;local governments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Organizations have started digital outlets to help fill those coverage gaps amid a changing consumer landscape. The Santa Fe New Mexican, a 176-year-old&nbsp;newspaper,&nbsp;is about to do the same&nbsp;in&nbsp;one of those&nbsp;markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s Executive Editor Bill Church to discuss the paper&rsquo;s bold expansion to Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. The two discuss why the move is justified for the family-owned company and what new and longtime readers can expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Church talks about&nbsp;efforts to&nbsp;create a robust&nbsp;publication&nbsp;that will have&nbsp;professional journalists staffed&nbsp;in that part of the state&nbsp;to cover&nbsp;key&nbsp;issues.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/were-hiring-expanding-into-southern-new-mexico/article_e6044f01-638d-4772-ac4d-33a412cc1d70.html">Julia Gentin</a>&nbsp;is among the first&nbsp;reporters to&nbsp;be hired.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Russell Gomez&nbsp;also&nbsp;asks Church about&nbsp;The New Mexican&rsquo;s own digital growth and products which he says has helped attract a broader state-wide audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;
More information&nbsp;about the new&nbsp;outlet, including an official name, will be released&nbsp;soon.

A preview of the 2026 Santa Fe International Literary Festival with the event’s organizers

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